Associate Buyer - Women's Juniors

The Associate Buyer takes ownership of a portion of the buyer's overall business and manages the processes to achieve sales, margin and inventory turnover. The Associate Buyer will assist in execution of processes and functions for the Buyer's merchandise area. The Associate Buyer is responsible for assortment planning, product selection, vendor negotiation, and marketing of specific lines.

This position reports directly to the Buyer and works closely with the buying management team, merchandise planning team, promotional planning team, merchandise placement team and the merchandising support team to significantly improve the profitability and maximize shareholder value.

This position is located in San Francisco, CA.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Executes sales and margin plans for their assigned areas
• Monitors and respond to issues and opportunities resulting from deviations in plan variances
• Maintains relationships with vendors and interacts with the vendor community within Sears standards and codes of ethics.
• Supports the development of customer driven assortment plans for their assigned area
• Supports buyer in executing defined lines
• Identifies and shops competition and makes product recommendations to the buyer
• Maintains knowledge base of industry and competitor market trends as it relates to their assigned business area
• Partners with the Planner to complete accurate forecasts, evaluating sales and markdowns.
• Collaborates with online team to create an expanded assortment on Kmart.com
• Creates and inputs advertising plan
• Monitors and maintains promotional performance
• Manages and controls the markdown process and communicates variances to the buyer
• Analyzes sales trend, key items, vendor profitability and makes recommendations for driving improved performance
• Assists in the development of product and negotiation to include cost, subsidy and terms

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree from a four year college or university; or four years related experience and/ or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred
• 2-3 years in experience preferably with a mix of buying, merchandising, planning and/or placement responsibilities
• Strong analytical and organizational skills a must
• Strong Microsoft Excel experience
• Proficiency in the use of desktop applications and Windows-based programs
• Retail math literacy and application of concepts to daily operations

EEO EMPLOYER